"But here are some statements that I _am_ wrought up over," declared the director, brandishing the paper. "I've got to believe 'em. They sound straight. Three of our new hold dams in streams that feed the Noda have been blown. The water has been used to sweep the Flagg logs in ahead of ours. The lip of the Tougas Lake has been blown, too, and if we lose that water it's apt to leave us high and dry; our Tougas operation is a long way in from the main river. They've shot blue blazes out of Carron Gorge and have taken the water along with 'em. Merry hell is to pay all up and down that river, Mern." The agency chief did not relish Craig's bellicose manner, nor the glare in his one eye that showed, nor the imputation of vindictive rebuke in his rasping tones. "Craig, I never saw a log in a river. I know nothing about your drives. Why are you pitching into me?" "Why? Why? Because this message says that the girl you sent north--the girl who was paid by our money--this report says that she has gone up there and has put the very devil into Flagg's men; is making 'em do things that the worst pirates on the river never dared to do before. What kind of a she wildcat did you hand me, anyway? Mern, a thousand tons of liquid fire poured into the valley of the Noda couldn't hurt us like that girl is hurting us. Who is she? What is she? Get your word to her! Call her off!" That was no time for equivocation. Craig's frenzy demanded candor and threatened reprisal if the truth were not forthcoming. Mern told part of the truth. "She has called her own self off, Craig, so far as this agency is concerned. I have no further control over her actions." Chief Mern was not conscious of any especial surprise after Craig had reported that section of his news which could be understood. The granddaughter of Flagg could not be expected to do other than she was doing. In his honest regard for the helper who had served him so long and efficiently, the chief was wondering whether he ought to reveal her identity to the Comas man, trying to estimate the danger of such a revelation. Craig was not stating that his news hinted who she was. As to the details of the drive, he was more explicit. He raged on while Mern pondered. "The Flagg drive is a week ahead of time. It must be near Skulltree dam. I ought to have been up there and I don't understand why the infernal fools have been so slow in getting word to me." He wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Look here, Mern, I never ought to do another stroke of business with you, but I'm in too much of a hurry to go anywhere else." The business instincts of the head of the agency were stirred; the Comas money had been good picking in the past. "I don't think I should be held responsible for an operative who has severed connections. Craig, you have probably made your own mistakes in depending on helpers."